Stevie G’s undying passion

Liverpool ace Steven Gerrard must be one of the most refreshingly honest players in football. Who else would collect a top award but then confess to the prestigious audience that he would rather have been in a dressing room in Wembley preparing for the FA Cup final? But then that’s Stevie G in a nutshell and sums up his continued lust for the game and success.

Gerrard was picking up the Football Writers’ Player of the Year Award in London. Accompanied by his family, he said it was a huge honour and a spectacular night but he would still have exchanged it all for a place in the FA Cup final. Gerrard said he was still hungry for success and believed both he and Liverpool were on the verge of an even better campaign next season.

Having just turned 29, he believes he is still getting better and says he is learning every day in training. There was, he said, still a lot for him to achieve with England and Liverpool and he is planning to pick up trophies galore next year. Gerrard also showed what a modest man he is by thanking everyone who had helped him, not least manager Rafael Benitez for his faith in him and all his team-mates.

Gerrard has certainly had a fantastic season, despite injuries, and can still show his passion and hunger when England meet both Kazakhstan and Andorra in the World Cup qualifiers. Tongue in cheek, England manager Fabio Capello – who presented Gerrard with his award – asked him to score a few more goals for him and his country when the clashes take place!

Stevie scored 24 goals during the season, 16 of them in the Premier League, and is well capable of putting more away to help Liverpool go one better than their second to Manchester United. In fact, scoring just a few more could well be key to Liverpool toppling Manchester United off their perch.

There is certainly a strong feeling in football that Liverpool are coming into their own and they will give the Red Devils a good run for their money. Steven Gerrard is without doubt Liverpool’s best ever midfield player and the team’s talisman. When he is on the pitch, anything can happen and usually does. As captain, he is an inspiration and leads by example, inspiring memorable comebacks.

It’s hard to believe he is already 29 but he will play until he drops and probably has a good ten years in him yet. Gerrard vowed during the presentation night to try and earn the Footballer Writers’ Player of the Year award again next year – unless he happens to be in the Wembley dressing room of course!